The Paris Opera, already battered by the strikes from pension reform before the pandemic hit, is “on its knees” financially, according to General Director Stéphane Lissner. The company, 45 million euros in debt, has postponed … » Read

Sony Music Group, the recording and music publishing divisions, has established a $100 million fund in support of anti-racism; monies are intended for organizations that promote equal rights. The announcement follows an open letter to the music … » Read

American Composers Forum (ACF) and New Music USA will share the 2020 Gold Baton, the League of American Orchestras' highest honor. Their respective CEOs, Vanessa Rose and Vanessa Reed, will accept the award at the final session of the League's … » Read

Despite the pandemic, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music will take place, albeit with some modifications, from July 31 to August 30 2020. "In view of the restrictions in force,” said Festival CEO Markus Lutz when making the announcement, … » Read

Switzerland’s Verbier Festival, which was the first major 2020 festival to cancel altogether, on March 26 , has come up with a new plan, one that involves, naturally, streaming both audio and video. It will run July 16-August 12, rather … » Read

Things are looking up Down Under. New Zealand has lifted performance restrictions after a 10-week lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Only contact tracing and border controls will remain in effect. "We're super excited to be able to put the … » Read

First the Met Opera , now the New York Philharmonic. “While [we] deeply regret having to cancel our fall concerts, we had no choice,” said President and CEO Deborah Borda in a statement. “It has become very clear that large … » Read

While COVID-19 continues to stamp out the prospects of live performance—at least in the U.S.—it’s never been a better time to listen to recordings. To judge from the contents of my download folder, new American music is still … » Read

Artist managers want Congressional help to get through the Coronavirus-induced closures and have started an online petition to drum up public awareness and support. The Change.org petition was started by Charlotte Lee, president of Primo Artists … » Read

Australian conductor Nicholas Carter [pictured], chief conductor of the Stadttheater Klagenfurt and the Kärntner Sinfonieorchester, is to be the new director of the Konzert Theater Bern starting in the 2021/22 season, as well as the chief … » Read